February 2006

It has been eight months since I have taken on the awesome task of being
your association leader. I have learned so much (just in the last few weeks
as well!) from fellow executive board members, CTA, and from my visits in
the fall.

Ken Ratti, our bargaining chair, and I will be visiting sites in February
and March. We will be meeting after school since Ken doesn't have release
time like I do. We are going to try to combine a few sites together so we
can get to everyone sooner.

Larry Baker and I, your state council representatives, attended the January
State Council. CTA has formed an Educational Change Workgroup that will be
looking at how to adequately and equitably fund education AND looking at
different models for how to attract new educators to our profession. We
voted to endorse a number of statewide candidates, including Phil Angelides
for Governor and John Garamendi for Lt. Governor. George Miller (the
congressman) was also endorsed. I did speak at the microphone against the
endorsement and voted no, but the endorsement went through. But, that's what
a representative democracy is all about. When the campaign heats up, looks
for your CTA-endorsed candidate flier. You of course should vote how you
think is best, but CTA does extensive interviews, and interview those
candidates who want our endorsement and support public education, regardless
of party.

Thank you to all who have already signed up or have seriously considered
signing up for Unum Provident disability and/or life insurance. Unum
Provident is our CTA-endorsed vendor, which is really an important
distinction. If you ever have a problem with the company, you can take your
complaint to binding arbitration with the CTA advisory panel. The panel is
made up of members just like you, and they decide on your complaint. Unum
Provident works really hard to provide excellent customer service to our
members. DEADLINE FOR THE CAMPAIGN: FEBRUARY 28, 2006!!!! Get those forms in
now! Have your site rep set up a meeting with Leo Sypert, the Unum Rep, to
come by your site if you would like. Our A-Plus auto rep, Teresa Clark, will
be accompanying him if you have any questions or would like a quote on auto
and home insurance. A+ Auto is also a CTA-endorsed vendor. I am a customer
and, not through any fault of my own, have had 3-4 claims in the last few
years. Their customer service has been excellent! I highly recommend them.

Not that we want to lose any members, but I highly encourage any of you who
know for sure that you are leaving us after this year to turn in your
resignation letter by February 28, 2006 to Human Resources at the DO. The
district proposed this to the bargaining team and me a few weeks ago, and
after a lot of questions and brainstorming, our team helped to craft the
Memoranda of Understanding that we can proud of. This is a win-win-win in my
opinion: our retirees get a little bonus, less of our newer members won't
have to go through layoffs, and we are helping the district retain quality
teachers in the process.

Things I am working on: getting the district to go to a non-SSN
identification for subfinder, understanding the grievance process better,
meeting with district officers about program improvement, gearing up for
pink slips, and keeping my email inbox empty :).

I couldn't end this message without thanking the Will C. Wood staff for
being the professionals they are in the midst of yet another crisis. We got
very lucky that no one was shot and/or killed.

Be safe and thank you for all you do for the children of Vacaville.